Currently, the students are working on creating a high-altitude suborbital rocket that will carry a NASA micro-camera as part of a mission to explore above the Earth's atmosphere. In a separate project, students are developing a surface reflectance spectrometer interface that works with Robonaut 2, a robot humanoid, as part of the Moon Mars Analog Mission Activities program.

NASA provides all the materials, drawings, and other resources necessary to create the prototypes and will also provide feedback and inspections during the projects.

"Working with the Booker T. Washington High School for Engineering Professions gives JSC and ARES the opportunity to help guide the development and test of prototype equipment the students have built for our science instruments. Having the next generation of engineers and scientists with real build experience gives us a very positive outlook for the future," said Eileen K. Stansbery, director of the ARES Directorate at Johnson Space Center.

HUNCH isn't the first collaboration between the school and NASA. The agency's employees have been mentoring Washington students for two years.

Tim Sohn is a 10-year veteran of the news business, having served in capacities from reporter to editor-in-chief of a variety of publications including Web sites, daily and weekly newspapers, consumer and trade magazines, and wire services. He can be reached at timothyjsohn@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @editortim.

Whitepapers

Paul VI Catholic School wanted to develop a laptop program that would equip its students and teachers with the right tools to increase classroom learning, prepare their students for college, and to develop the 21st Century skill sets required by today’s employers. Download this White Paper to learn about their comprehensive selection process and how they are using their new laptops to revolutionize the learning process.
Read more...